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The two former NAIA national powerhouses that recently moved to NCAA Division I-II will meet in a non-conference match during the upcoming season.
Cal Baptist as part of unveiling its 2015 scheduled announced Wednesday that it will play host to Lindenwood in March.
This will be the first meeting between Cal Baptist and Lindenwood since they both successfully completed their three-year transition from NAIA to NCAA Division I-II in 2013. As part of their transitions, the Lancers joined the MPSF after winning back-to-back NAIA national titles, while the Lions joined the MIVA having won one NAIA championship in their program history.
Cal Baptist in its first year as a full MPSF member finished last season tied for 10th place in the conference. However, the Lancers return a majority of starters from last year’s team that had a winning non-conference record.
Lindenwood ended last year reaching the MIVA Tournament quarterfinals and was one of nine teams in the nation to have at least 19 wins. Among the starters returning for the Lions next season includes all-conference opposite Colin Hackworth who was among the MIVA leaders in 2014 with a 3.59 kills per game average.
Despite this being the first meeting between Lindenwood and Cal Baptist as NCAA programs, both teams developed a rivalry competing in the NAIA.
The Lancers and Lions met three times in the NAIA championship match from 2005-09 with Cal Baptist winning the title in 2005 and 2006 and Lindenwood taking the championship in 2009. In addition, the Lancers are 23-7 all-time against the Lions as NAIA teams.
The non-conference match against Cal Baptist will be part of a mid-season West Coast road trip for Lindenwood.
Lindenwood two days before playing Cal Baptist will also play a non-conference match against USC.